In the absence of clinical studies, all we can really do is speculate about
the impact of pacifier use and share stories.  For instance, my oldest
daughter (who never had any experience with pacifiers) was one of the most
vicious and persistent biters I've ever encountered.  She bit me, and as a
toddler, turned many kisses into bites.  She was a sweet child, but whenever
she put her mouth up to the round, chubby cheek of a toddler playmate, she
bit as if taking a chunk out of a juicy apple.  She is 24 now, and didn't
progress to an eating disorder or become a serial killer.

The truth is, some studies on pacifiers suggest that some dysfunction in the
child predisposes the child to liking/wanting/needing more non-nutritive
sucking than other babies.  I've written about this before, and it would be
worth checking the archives to read the refs I've previously provided about
the association with subtle respiratory dysfunction and dependance on
pacifiers (or thumb-sucking) to protect airways.

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
LactNews Press
www.lactnews.com

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